Not sure what to think

Today I gave it my first shot with a straight razor. I used a brand new DOVO silver steel 5/8 just out of the box. I won't say from which vendor I bought the razor but it did include a sticker saying it was honed by Lynn.

The problem here is that when I took it out of the case I tried to run it along my arm hair as I've seen some suggest as a test of sharpness and nothing happened, it just skimmed right over the hair not cutting any of it. I assumed maybe I was doing something wrong because it was honestly the first time I've really held a honed razor.

I showered, prepped, and began the shave very slowly just on the cheeks with very short and steady cuts. Right away it felt like it was almost pulling the hairs out of my skin. I assume my technique was very flawed but I made sure to keep a VERY light grip on the razor and try to let the blade do the work so I don't think it was my hand doing the "pulling."

I managed to shave with the grain on both of my cheeks before I decided I probably couldn't get much further. I finished the shave with my Mach 3 just to be safe and to avoid cutting myself in other areas of my face on which I was uncomfortable shaving.

Just a note, I did not try to hone or strop the razor myself at any point so I can't imagine I did anything to the blade on my own. I also pulled a small hair out of my head and tried to cut it and until I put tension on the hair (wrapped it around 2 fingers) it didn't cut - this was after my attempt at shaving.

Does anyone know what I could be doing wrong, angle of shave maybe? I know to always assume it's my fault and not the razor's (especially one honed by Lynn).

Thanks in advance,

ats200

Hi

Regardless of who honed the razor, I'd strop it 40 on linen and 30 on leather and see if that keens the edge.

Have you contacted the vendor and asked them if they can touch it up for you?

- Mike

This is a very common first shave experience - razor seems to be pulling and not quite sharp enough. I will tell you with a fair amount of certainty that it is you (your technique) and not the razor. You did the right thing by not stropping the first time out, therefore eliminating the possiblity that you rolled the edge with poor stropping.

As well, did you clean off the oil before attempting any of the sharpening tests? If not then you can't expect the blade to cut any hair, especially during the HHT. And please don't draw any conclusions from a negative HHT at this point.

Please don't think that I'm harping on you. This type of story is told several times a week (or possiblly daily), and most if not all will post in a week or two that yes, it was them and not the razor all along. I'm sure with practice you will have success too!

Have Fun.

Thank you Ryan and I agree. I know it must have been something I was doing personally. I guess it's just something everyone has to work on - just like any other skill really.

I did clean the oil off of the blade though. I guess mentioning the failed tests was me just hoping I did everything perfectly and it wasn't my fault at all :roflmao

I wouldn't consider unsuccessful but I though I would share what happened, I'll definitely keep trying!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ats200

I showered, prepped, and began the shave very slowly just on the cheeks with very short and steady cuts.
ats200

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First and foremost welcome! I quote the above as it is a very small portion of your post, yet it can make a BIG difference in the successful outcome of the shave. Lather making and beard prep are 2 big skills in and of themselves. Read the Wiki, watch videos (If you haven't got Lynn's DVD, it is a wonderful resource), etc. The learning curve can be a bit steep at first, but you'll do just fine. Keep us posted.

First off, congrats on your first straight shave!

Secondly, please remember that getting a good shave of a straight takes more than just a sharp razor, but good technique as well. This cannot be gotten from reading the wiki (which is still a good idea to do), but only through practice and focus.

Be patient, expect the first few straight shaves to kinda suck. Aside from good stropping and beard prep, keep focused on keeping the skin tight, the angle less than 30 degrees, and keep the pressure as light as possible. You will be getting great BBS shaves before you know it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by markevens

First off, congrats on your first straight shave!

Secondly, please remember that getting a good shave of a straight takes more than just a sharp razor, but good technique as well. This cannot be gotten from reading the wiki (which is still a good idea to do), but only through practice and focus.

Be patient, expect the first few straight shaves to kinda suck. Aside from good stropping and beard prep, keep focused on keeping the skin tight, the angle less than 30 degrees, and keep the pressure as light as possible. You will be getting great BBS shaves before you know it.

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I think the recommendation to a brand new straight shaver should be:

• Do a proper face prep
• Do a 1-pass shave with whatever method you are currently using.

Then:

• Do a single pass with your new straight.
• Start with the dominate hand on the dominate side then proceed as comfort permits.
• Follow up if needed with your normal method.

This can be repeated each shave until the shaver is comfortable enough to skip the previous shaving method and or clean up.

Take your time and enjoy the learning process. The simple straight blade shave is rewarding and will come in time.

--Shoki

I actually really like that advice, Shoki. I'm definitely taking that approach until I get a little more comfortable with the idea of a full straight shave

A big + for Shoki.
think that this method will work best for a new str8 shaver.
It's a learning curve, but once you the hang of it it's the only way that you want to shave.

Not too fast to go is my advice, I know it's a human thing but take your time .
Do not get frustrated, and stay calm and get it little by little.
Give your skin the occasional chance to recover from the attack of the str8.
You'll see it's getting better and faster. A good preparation is half the battle.
Oh ... and by the way welcome! (where are my manners)

I'm a newb myself & only do the cheeks & parts of the neck, for now.
I had the pulling issue the first time, my prep is tip top, but I wasn't
stretching the skin & my angle was too steep.

Kudos to Shokis advice!:)

"I wasn't stretching the skin & my angle was too steep."

I revisited that one this morning. It's funny what a sharp blade
will do to skin that gets bunched up in front of it. But each cut
is another opportunity for learning, and, if so, I must be getting really
smart! :)

I suggest all new first time straight shavers read this.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...n-apology.html

Just be patient and keep at it. Just when you think str8 razors aren't for you, you hands just magically give you a magnificent shave.

Good luck !

:beer2:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shoki

I think the recommendation to a brand new straight shaver should be:

• Do a proper face prep
• Do a 1-pass shave with whatever method you are currently using.

Then:

• Do a single pass with your new straight.
• Start with the dominate hand on the dominate side then proceed as comfort permits.
• Follow up if needed with your normal method.

This can be repeated each shave until the shaver is comfortable enough to skip the previous shaving method and or clean up.

--Shoki

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I agree with this, but it is important that a beginner has an idea of good technique and start developing it. They can follow your advise, and still focus on those 3 fundamentals I mentioned while actually shaving.

If they aren't made aware of these basics of technique, they may know that the first shaves won't be great, but their learning curve is going to be a lot longer and more difficult than someone who is aware and is actively focusing on them. Look at ace's post above:

Quote:

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"I wasn't stretching the skin & my angle was too steep."

I revisited that one this morning. It's funny what a sharp blade
will do to skin that gets bunched up in front of it. But each cut
is another opportunity for learning, and, if so, I must be getting really
smart! :)

---

If nobody told him that skin stretching and angle were important, he may just quit with the misconception that straights are super dangerous and will cut your face up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by markevens

I agree with this, but it is important that a beginner has an idea of good technique and start developing it. They can follow your advise, and still focus on those 3 fundamentals I mentioned while actually shaving.

If they aren't made aware of these basics of technique, they may know that the first shaves won't be great, but their learning curve is going to be a lot longer and more difficult than someone who is aware and is actively focusing on them. Look at ace's post above:If nobody told him that skin stretching and angle were important, he may just quit with the misconception that straights are super dangerous and will cut your face up.

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Yeah It was a rookie mistake on my part not to stretch out the skin.
The razor was tugging & then I realized I wasn't stretching! The first time around I was too focused on angle. A new lesson I learned right off the bat
with a straight: Visualize.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kilgore

Yeah It was a rookie mistake on my part not to stretch out the skin.
The razor was tugging & then I realized I wasn't stretching! The first time around I was too focused on angle. A new lesson I learned right off the bat
with a straight: Visualize.

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Yeah, I had the same problem. I would be getting the angle right, and realize I was using pressure or not stretching well. Or I would get a really good stretch going and have nice light pressure, and my angle would get too high or too low. I ended up setting up a good stretch before touching the razor to skin, then while I did the stoke saying, "angle, pressure, angle, pressure..." in my head.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shoki

I think the recommendation to a brand new straight shaver should be:

• Do a proper face prep
• Do a 1-pass shave with whatever method you are currently using.

Then:

• Do a single pass with your new straight.
• Start with the dominate hand on the dominate side then proceed as comfort permits.
• Follow up if needed with your normal method.

This can be repeated each shave until the shaver is comfortable enough to skip the previous shaving method and or clean up.

Take your time and enjoy the learning process. The simple straight blade shave is rewarding and will come in time.

--Shoki

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This is great advice!

Just an update, I finally completed a full (with the grain) shave today, no nicks or cuts!

I think I'll start attempting ATG sometime later this week, taking things slow seems to work. It really just seemed like a matter of "getting the feel" for it before I really got going.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ats200

Just an update, I finally completed a full (with the grain) shave today, no nicks or cuts!

I think I'll start attempting ATG sometime later this week, taking things slow seems to work. It really just seemed like a matter of "getting the feel" for it before I really got going.

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I didn't find the ATG pass as intimidating as I thought it would be, probably because I'd had good luck with it using a DE. The XTG attempts are far more difficult for me, especially around the mustache area, around the mouth, and especially across the chin.

I've only been shaving with a cut throat for a very short time myself.

What I've found to be the best indicator of whether I've got the angle right is the sound the razor makes. Too shallow and you don't hear any of the hairs getting cut and too steep and you can hear the blade bouncing over the stubble, not cutting it.

The best way I can describe is it sounds like running your thumbnail over sandpaper when you get the angle right. If I don't hear the hairs getting cut I know its time to take the razor off the face and come in with a new angle.

Obviously, it is next to impossible that you were sent a razor that was not shave ready that was sent personally honed by Lynn. I only say nearly impossible because I don't believe in the existence of impossibility. That is, unless there is a counterfeiter out there. I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but Lynn and company have grown the SRP enterprises to the point that they (within the world of wet shaving, at least) are household words. Think of all the knock-offs there are out there. It's big business. Maybe I've had too much caffeine? :needcoffee:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flyman

Maybe I've had too much caffeine? :needcoffee:

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Or maybe not enough !! :D